Defence officer exams
There are many ways into an officer's uniform — but they all lead to the SSB. Here's each route, who it's for, and how it works.
The premier entry to the Armed Forces straight after school. UPSC-conducted written exam (Maths + GAT), followed by the 5-day SSB interview.
Full details →Graduate-level entry to IMA, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and OTA. UPSC written followed by SSB.
Full details →The IAF's own entry test for short-service and permanent commissions across flying and ground-duty branches, followed by AFSB.
Full details →The Indian Navy's officer entrance test for several executive and technical branches, followed by the Naval SSB.
Full details →Join the Army as an officer straight after Class 12 with high PCM marks — no written exam; shortlisting on board marks, then SSB.
Full details →The 5-day personality assessment every officer entry funnels into — screening, psychology tests, group tasks (GTO), the personal interview, and the conference.
Full details →